Testing Results

[Dempsey32]

I was tested on Thursday April 3, for Herpes. I went through localstdtesting.com and labcorps. My results were as follows. This is how the place read my results

IgM:      .91 Negative

IgG HSV-1:      5.1 Positive

IgG HSV-2:       .91 Negative

I was tested at 5 weeks, 6 days, so about 6 weeks after low risk exposure that I had described to you in a previous post. It was vaginal sex for about 45 seconds with a 21 year old female college student unprotected. How do my results look and what are the remaining chances that I could still be infected with HSV-2?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Not related to herpes or STD.  The Goldbond may be contributing.  If you are making no progress with self-medication, then you need to see a health care professionsal.  EWH

[Dempsey32]

I have had increased sensitivity on the underside of my penis on the flap of skin just south of the urethra opening that connects the glans penis to the shaft. There are no marks or bumps, and it is not red. It is just irritated when it rubs against my clothes. It does not hurt at all, it is just sensitive. Also, it does not itch or burn. It has been like this for about 9 to 10 days now. I have been using medicated gold bond and that seems to make it less noticeable. I was wondering if this is related at all to HSV-2 or genital warts and any possible solutions to fix my problem.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes, it can slightly delay antibody development but not much.  The IgM test is of little use.  I do not recommend it and do not comment on them as their resuts are pretty useless.  EWH

[Dempsey32]

Does having HSV-1 delay the onset of HSV-2 antibodies? Does a negative IgM test really mean there was no recent infection?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Thanks for the key information, i.e. the type of test and values.  Following a low risk exposure, at this time it is very unlikely that you have acquired HSV-2.  If you had, it is likely that you would have had symptoms if they were going to occur. The totally negative antibody results support this assessment. Could you still have gotten it? - yes.  You could also get hit by a truck today but both are very unlikely as long as you look both ways when you cross the street.  An implied question here is do you need further testing.  My assessment is no.  EWH

[Dempsey32]

It was a herpeselect test as well.